 yngwie (3529), Kristiansand, Norway
Jan 31, 2006 Updated: Dec 30, 2007
Bottle. (Bottling date 061121) Poured a bit too cold, with an almost clear, orange-golden body with lots of co2. The head is big, dense and beige, diminishing slightly. Leaves nice lacings. The aroma is the well-known fruity, sourish one, with spices, yeast and a touch of banana in the far back. I have a little problem with Orval I think. Sometimes, when I’m in the mood for Orval, I really, really love it. Other times, like tonight, I’m not sure. Off course it’s good, world class indeed, but it still don’t reach me. Not only the aroma, but the whole experience. The flavor has it’s usual qualities, dry, fruity, dusty, yet sweet, with yeast, and spicyness playing a major part. Pale malt as well. Quite full-bodied, dryish and slightly sticky mouthfeel. The finish is long, with all the qualities from the aroma and initial flavor, and a distinct bitterness. What a beautiful beer. Pity it was not an Orval night for me. Seems I should have aimed for the dark side, and I think I will try to stay away if I’m not in the mood. Still, rating: 7-4-8-4-16-3.9
Bottled. (Bottled 040401) Golden/orange, lively beer with a huge, dense off-white head. It’s so well carbonated, it’s hard to tell whether it is hazy or not. Fruity aroma with medicine-notes. Yeast and dried fruits can also be noticed. The medicine comes stronger in the flavor, but not in an unpleasant way. Malts, sugar, banana, spices and hops is also present. A little too lively in the mouth. Long, lightly astringent bitterness, and yet sweetness, along with alcohol in the finish. First time I tasted Orval, 10 years ago, was at a hotel in a small hamlet in the woods and valleys of the northern parts of Luxemburg. Had just finished a rabbit-dish, when me and my lager-drinking father-in-law had this.That was when he understood that beer is not only lagers and pils. It was a warm summer-evening and life was good. Thought it might suit well as rating number 400, as it is a nice beer with nice memories. (060131)
lievenvh (13), , Belgium
Sep 7, 2008 herbs, citrus, amber, hazy, tan foam, light sweetness, very bitter, medium sourness, full body, thick feel, lively, bitter,
leonotis (2), Strasbourg, France
does not count  Sep 7, 2008 I tasted an Orval recently, and visited the brewery in 2004.
The brewery become industrial, clearly, they have built many cylindro-conic fermentation tanks, that replace old swimming-pool like ones.
When I drinked it the last week, I found some banana flavors from yeasts, but not clear enough. The yeasts flavors aren’t complex, unlike the old Orval version that I tasted ten years ago.
When we drink it we clearly feel hop extracts (hop perfume extracts and hop bitterness extracts). These extracts tastes are strong and ruin the overall taste... almost fortunately, because of the fermentation that isn’t able to make complex flavors.
A good beer that I advice to learn someone what hop extracts are, but not a good beer to drink.
We can say that it’s the end of great Orval beers.
SamAdams777 (36), Abilene or Stephenville, Texas, USA
Sep 7, 2008 Pours nice, keeps a decent head on the beer. Smells like a garden. Thin, crisp, sweet flavor. Strong abv. The aftertaste is amazing, even if the beer itself is a bit to sweet for my liking. Very carbonated. Remindes me of a pumpkin soda.
mikalooch (19), , New Jersey, USA
Sep 7, 2008 Pours cloudy orange-amber with a very generous beige head which lasts. Smells like sweet bread, very nice. Starts off strong, sourdough bread and dark fruit, and is very dry. Goes down smooth, has a bit more carbonation that the other trappist ales, warms as it reaches bottom. Very enjoyable, definitely a unique and complex brew.
bblack99 (11), Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Sep 4, 2008 Bottle, pours a cloudy orange with a fizzy, pillowy white head that lasts relatively well, and clings nicely to the glass. Strong flowery aroma with a hoppy bite and dry alcoholic finish.
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